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Stettler in hot pursuit of more firefighters

Stettler Regional Fire Department needs volunteer firefighters to bolster the crews of fire stations in the county.
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Stettler Deputy Fire Chief Etienne Brugman said more firefighters are needed “to help divide the workload.”

Stettler Regional Fire Department needs volunteer firefighters to bolster the crews of fire stations in the county.

“We need a minimum 15 firefighters per station,” Chief Mark Dennis said. “We are already recruiting for all stations, especially Donalda.”

Firefighters are also needed for the main Stettler hall and stations in Big Valley and Byemoor.

“This something we will continue to do every year in order to maintain adequate levels of firefighters and service,” Dennis said.

Regional fire officials are seeking volunteers, male and female, aged 18 years and older, to join the force.

“We need a higher number of firefighters to help divide the workload,” Deputy Fire Chief Etienne Brugman said.

“We have some volunteer firefighters who have served for 10 to 15 years and may want to move on.”

If a sufficient number of new firefighters isn’t recruited, it will put more work on the current volunteers, Brugman said.

While it takes about one year to train a new firefighter, the transition also helps the veterans, who are trained regularly.

The first year introduces new volunteers to roles, techniques and theory about the various situations firefighters face at calls, Brugman said.

Firefighters extinguish fires, extricate victims from motor vehicles, handle dangerous goods, conduct rescues from confined areas, high angles and water, and operate equipment and vehicles.

Regular training is presented three times a month at the Stettler fire station, with monthly sessions at the other locations. All firefighters are invited to any training session in the department.

For more information, phone the Town of Stettler at 403-742-8305 or the County of Stettler at 403-742-4441.